Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has alleged that a large-scale attempt is underway to delete voters from the electoral rolls through multiple Form 7 applications during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the state.

Shivakumar alleged that BJP workers were filing Form 7 applications in multiple names to seek deletion of voters, claiming that minorities, Dalits and Scheduled Tribe (ST) voters were being targeted. He described the SIR exercise as a “big fraud” and demanded an inquiry into what he called “vote theft” and electoral offences.

Form 7 is being used in the ongoing controversy because it is the application through which a request can be made to delete a name from the electoral roll. Shivakumar alleged that the form was being misused to target voters rather than being submitted through legitimate channels.

Addressing a press conference, the chief minister claimed that applications had been filed to delete around 45 lakh votes across Karnataka. He further alleged that about 14,000 such applications had been submitted in Vijayapura alone.

Shivakumar also alleged that there was bulk filing of Form 7 applications on September 22, 23 and 24, with minority, Dalit and ST voters among those allegedly targeted. He claimed that those submitting the forms on behalf of voters were not Booth Level Agents but BJP workers.

The chief minister alleged that the BJP and JD(S) were behind a wider plan to remove 50–60 lakh voters from the electoral rolls and claimed that large numbers of Form 7 applications had been printed for the purpose.

Shivakumar said cases of alleged illegal voter deletions had also been reported in Belagavi, Bhalki, Mysuru and other areas, with FIRs registered in some instances. He questioned how such deletions could take place without the knowledge of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

He demanded a comprehensive investigation, including a criminal probe, into the alleged misuse of Form 7 and urged the Election Commission to register FIRs over what he described as electoral offences.

The chief minister said Congress leaders had handed over documents relating to constituencies where Form 7 applications were allegedly filed fraudulently. He claimed the issue was not limited to a handful of seats and pointed to constituencies including Minister Eshwar Khandre’s Bhalki and Mudigere.

“If this is happening in the constituencies of our MLAs, it indicates that a major conspiracy is taking place across the state,” Shivakumar alleged.

He also threatened to remain at the office of Chief Electoral Officer V Anbukkumar until an inquiry was ordered. Asked whether he would attend the Cabinet meeting scheduled for Thursday, Shivakumar said he might instead have to “sleep” at the CEO’s office.

Earlier, in a video message, Shivakumar had alleged that BJP leaders and workers were submitting Form 7 applications at the direction of party leaders to seek deletion of names belonging to minorities, poor people and Dalits.

He appealed to Booth Level Agents, BLA-2s, legislators, party workers and voters to immediately report any Form 7 applications they believed had been filed to remove their names or those of other voters. He said the information would be collected and placed before the Election Commission.

“As your chief minister, as a public servant, I'm trying to protect your votes, but I feel I have failed. I have to accept this,” Shivakumar said.

The allegations were made by Shivakumar during the ongoing SIR exercise in Karnataka. The claims regarding BJP involvement and the scale of the alleged voter deletions were made by the chief minister and were not independently established in the material provided.

With agency inputs